Residents of Mokwa in Niger State have raised concerns over renewed flooding in the town after heavy rainfall submerged parts of Rabba Road. The flooding started late on Wednesday and continued into Thursday morning, according to residents who spoke to SaharaReporters. Videos from the area show floodwater covering sections of the road, with residents and road users facing difficulties moving through the affected area.
The latest flooding comes 16 months after a devastating flood struck Mokwa on May 29, 2025, killing 206 people and displacing thousands of residents. The Niger State Government reported that 458 homes were completely destroyed, 82 people were injured, and 3,534 residents were displaced. The disaster damaged roads and bridges and severely disrupted economic activities in the town.
Residents expressed disappointment over what they described as inadequate preventive measures following the previous disaster. They said promises were made during the last disaster, but they have not seen enough meaningful intervention to prevent another occurrence. One resident described the latest flooding as worrying because it came after the deadly disaster of May 2025.
The recurrence of flooding has renewed concerns about the safety of homes, properties, and livelihoods in Mokwa, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. Residents said they were particularly concerned that the flooding could worsen if heavy rainfall continues. People are now living in fear whenever it rains heavily because they do not know whether they will lose their homes, properties, or means of livelihood again.
In response to the flooding and erosion problems in Mokwa, the Niger State Government announced measures aimed at addressing the issue. In July 2026, the Niger State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project opened bids for the construction of stormwater drainage structures and gully-erosion intervention in Mokwa. The project aims to address the underlying causes of flooding and erosion, protect lives and property, and improve climate resilience in Mokwa and surrounding communities.
Despite the government's efforts, residents say the latest flooding shows that urgent measures are still needed, particularly around drainage and other flood-prone locations. They appealed to the Niger State Government, Mokwa Local Government Council, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, and other relevant authorities to assess the affected areas and take immediate steps to prevent the flooding from escalating.
The residents called for a permanent solution to the recurring flooding problem, saying it is no longer something that should be treated as normal whenever it rains. They urged the government to act before the situation gets worse and to provide proper drainage and urgent intervention, rather than waiting for another major disaster.
Key points
- The Niger State Government has announced measures to address flooding and erosion in Mokwa, including the construction of stormwater drainage structures and gully-erosion intervention.
- Residents of Mokwa are calling for a permanent solution to the recurring flooding problem.
- The latest flooding in Mokwa comes 16 months after a devastating flood killed 206 people and displaced thousands of residents.
